Non-profit group influences student

Recent IU graduate Lucy Berger had her career path planned out when she came to IU in 2001. She wanted to go into forensic anthropology.\nYet, a part-time job changed that path.\nBerger took out loans and worked part-time jobs to pay for tuition and living expenses throughout college. As she entered her junior year in the summer of 2003, she decided she needed a second job. She saw an ad for a concession stand worker for Girls Incorporated of Monroe County, a non profit organization dedicated to developing strong, smart and bold young women.\n"I really didn't think I'd like working with kids," she said. "It's a change of pace."\nThe position wasn't available, but Lee Ann Jourdan, Girls Inc. director of program services, offered her a job as a program specialist. Berger took it, eager to try out something different as she began as a camp counselor. \n"I wasn't sure about working with kids. My first day was really interesting," she said. "It was hot and there were a bunch of kids and staff I didn't know. That many kids in one spot can be intimidating."\nStill, Berger stuck with it and refused to quit after only working one day. She had participated in a 4-H club in her hometown of Muncie, frequently leading the younger kids.\n"I was indifferent towards working with them," she said. "Some days I could do it, some days I couldn't."\nWorking at Girls Inc. surprised her, however. Her duties included facilitating programs and helping others who planned programs for the girls. She continued her work into the school year and took on a planning role for the organization's programs. In late fall of 2004, Berger accepted a promotion as the center-based program specialist. In that role she supervises other employees and creates programs for Girls Inc. participants.\nBerger has also trained in three national Girls Inc. identity programs -- Media Literacy, Sporting Chance and Project Bold -- which work to strengthen girls' self-esteem and identity.\nExecutive Director Dorothy Granger has enjoyed having Berger on staff.\n"She just flourished," Granger said. "She is great with the girls."\nBerger graduated from IU with her bachelor's degree in anthropology approximately a month ago, but her experience with Girls Inc. has caused her to change her mind about immediately pursuing her forensic anthropology career.\n"It's a long-term goal now," she said. "It requires a lot more schooling and I feel like this is a perfect opportunity to make a difference in other people's lives."\nShe never imagined she would include working with kids on her list of career goals. She has even tailored her class schedule towards studies that are applicable to children and life lessons. Through anthropology, she was able to study growth and development. Through chemistry and biology classes, she has a range of knowledge that she can share with the girls involved in the programs. \n"Any class I take can apply to my job," Berger said. "Why does soda bubble? I can answer that because of my background in chemistry."\nYet despite her dedication to Girls Inc. and working with children through a non profit, Berger intends to continue her education for forensic anthropology someday.\n"I feel like when you work at a non profit, you need someone who can give you good, innovative ideas," she said. "When the way I do things no longer works, I feel someone else needs to step up."\nJourdan is proud of what Berger has added to the Girls Inc. staff.\n"Lucy is a great example of a dedicated leader," she said. "She's an intelligent role model and a wonderful mentor."\nBerger said she encourages anyone, whether a student or not, to try different job opportunities and keep an open mind. She feels every job has real world experience and will add to long-term career goals. But for now, she's happy to make a difference in children's lives.\n"I have a lot of things I'd like to accomplish in my life and someday I will have to move on," she said. "But that's not in the near future"